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PWA Fuerteventura Grand Slam, Freestyle Day 3 – Final

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Lets talk about the ladies…

For the first time in a very long time – the final, and 1st and 2nd place do not have the name Moreno in. The womens freestyle here in Sotovento has lifted to a much finer level. The day was opened with Laure Treboux coming through the double elimination to beat off Iballa Moreno. Laure silkily made her way through the heat with her usual display of spocks, 540’s and grubby’s. But it was the next heat that caused the most controversy and interest on the beach.

Silvia Alba sailed a fine heat against Laure, including spocks, forward loops on both ways, a vulcan on the outside. Laure did slightly more moves but lacked any aerial moves going out and it did look like Laures good run had been ended by some great windsurfing by Silvia. Laure’s one hope was a fully planing grubby! The decision was made in front of the crowds, a split decision went Laures way.. Just. That was when it kicked off as the feisty Latino spirit of the Spaniards surrounded head judge Duncan Coombes. Daida was in there, Nayra Alonso and also Silvia who was counting up the points knowing she was close to her best ever freestyle result, and they had a fair point – it was that close and no one on the beach new which way it went. Call me cynical but Daida would rather have to sail against Silvia than Laure in the fight for a place in the final.

Some, erm, “friendly competition banter” on the beach preceded the semi final between Laure and Daida. However you got the feeling that the previous incidents had swayed the crowds (including the male windsurfers) Laures way – and who doesn’t like the underdog. The feeling amongst Laures gang was that she had been psyched out, but she proved everyone wrong by opening with a perfect clew first spock, straight into a grubby diablo, whilst Daida uncharacteristally crashed out and didn’t really pull it back despite some powerful moves on the outside! Honestly the crowd went mad as Laure sailed the heat of her life and went for the winner a switch stance puneta! And on the way out.

The final between Sarah Quita and Laure Treboux was a more relaxed affair as both were just so happy to be there. Sarah so relaxed sailed a heat to win against many men. She said her best moves was the flaka on the way out and the e slider on the way in, amongst the myriad of spocks and grubbys! It was Sarah’s heat quite easily, but at the point neither really cared. Daida Moreno will now be aiming to put the record straight in the next round, but with the lighter wins she is going to have to sail out of her Roxy pants!

Oh and the mens! Amazing, completely mind blowing – but not as tense. Taty Frans fought his way to the final. He had to beat fellow Bonairians Kiri Thode and his brother Tonky and Anthony Ruenes. Against Kiri, on half a reach, and within 30 seconds, they both landed 6 moves. Kiri made 20 and Taty 15 – all aerial, all difficult. Taty went on to only just beat his brother despite landing less moves, then forced two finals against the single elimination winner Gollito Estredo with loads of double moves including ponch flakas, double flaka’s and spocks. Golitto got well into gear in the re run, and pulled off a burner and one handed shaka where he sailed into it with his front hand completely off. The overall decision went Gollitos way.

The next single is up next. Quite a day for women’s windsurfing! Now there are 6 main players instead of 2 (and one of them, Karin Jaggi, is in Turkey for the Slalom 42

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